JANAKPURDHAM: CPN-UML Senior Vice-Chair, Ishwor Pokhrel, declared that the party would stride forward with renewed determination following its 25th Secretariat Meeting.

“The Fourth General Convention of our party serves as the bedrock and launchpad for the UML’s current position in Nepal’s political landscape. It was from this convention that our revered leader, the late Madan Bhandari, introduced the concept of People’s Multi-party Democracy,” Pokhrel stated.

The UML’s Secretariat Meeting is currently taking place at Bishnupurkatti Sarreambas in the Siraha district, marking a return to the same historic location where the then CPN (Marxist and Leninist) conducted its Fourth General Convention from August 25 to 30, 1989.

Speaking to reporters at Janakpurdham Airport prior to heading to the meeting venue, Senior Vice-Chair Pokhrel shared, “After 34 years, we find ourselves back at this historic site. Undoubtedly, we will once again make historic decisions, propelling the UML to new heights. This gathering will enhance the UML’s role in national politics.”

Pokhrel highlighted the role of the Bishnupurkatti Sarreambas Meeting in solidifying the UML’s place in Nepali politics. He expressed confidence that the party would yet again make a monumental decision from the same site that helped establish the UML’s significance in Nepal’s political landscape by electing Madan Bhandari as the party’s general secretary.

Addressing a different topic, the UML Senior Vice-Chair reiterated that the present government should align its actions with the people’s aspirations. He noted that the UML’s stance compelled the government to initiate a high-level commission to thoroughly investigate the gold smuggling scandal. Pokhrel affirmed the party’s full cooperation with the commission in uncovering the truth behind the scandal.

Accompanying Pokhrel to the Secretariat Meeting are Vice-Chairs Yubaraj Gyawali, Ashta Laxmi Shakya, Ram Bahadur Thapa, Bishnu Poudel, Subas Chandra Nembang, deputy general-secretary Pradip Gyawali, secretaries Lekhraj Bhatta, and Raghuveer Mahaseth.

After a technical issue prevented their initial morning flight from landing in Janakpur, the leaders arrived in the city via the next Buddha Air flight. UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and other leaders are set to reach Siraha for the meeting through Biratnagar. The UML’s Secretariat currently consists of 18 members, with Secretariat member and party secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi suspended due to his implication in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal.

The Secretariat Meeting, initially scheduled for August 26, was postponed due to persistent rain.